How long before gabapentin kicks in for Fibromyalgia pain?

Hi, been recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Currently taking 60mg of duloxetine, co codamol 15 500 (8 tablets a day) and 1800mg of gabapentin daily. I initially started on 300mg of Gabapentin daily and just recently increased to the new amount. Been taking the medication for about 6 weeks now and was wondering if I should have seen some signs of relief now.

Responses (3)

You still have room for increase. We all seem to be different in what amount helps us. I don't remember when I noticed I felt better, but I do remember when increasing helped, because I just did that. It was a few days I felt quite a bit better, and he just increased it again. My fibro is doing pretty good right now.

Many thanks for your reply. I am just a bit concerned about any side effects. Fortunately thus far the only real side effects I had was with the duloxetine but they soon settled down. The only side effects from the gabapentin was with the recent increase and that was only minor headache. My fibro pain is neck pain and upper back pain which is really deep. Right in between the shoulder blades.

That's a classic pain, burns too. My pain dr injected the triggers there and I've been fine since then. That burning and deep pain really gets to you after a while. It feels so good without it, at least I can stand at the sink to do dishes and sit here at the computer without now. They increase the gabapentin gradually to avoid the side effects. I haven't noticed any yet. I was on lyrica but the side effects were too much for me so I switched to gabapentin, and its working better then the lyrica did.

Thanks. I did enquire about injecting those particular trigger points but was told that it's a bit too early to go down that route and that I need to exhaust the medication route first. It is something I will take up with my GP in a few months time again. Having been in pain for 2 years and 3 months now I just will have to grin and bear it for a bit longer.

I had much better results with Lyrica then Gabapentin, the problem is it is much more expensive, but there is a work around.

You can go to the Lyrica Web Site and download a coupon that reduces your monthly Prescription to $25, before that I was paying $65.

If you make the switch talk with your Physician about how you taper one and start the other, I followed some very poor instructions from a Doctor whom pulled me off Gabapentin Cold Turkey and put me on Topamax which caused a week of feeling like I was hooked up to a light socket with electricity pulsating thru my body.

Thanks for the reply. Cost isn't an issue for me here in the UK as the prescription charge is standard regardless of the medication in question. As I am getting spurts of relief I think I will perservier with these cocktail of medications a bit longer and then consider other options.

Hi, I have fybromyalgia to but I have never been on gabapenton, my spelling is bad, for it. The only time I was on that stuff was after my second neck surgery an I had terrible nerve pain in my arms and hands. I finally said enough of this. I was also on nucenta for the pain. Gabapenton was for the nerve part, tingling and numbness which it helped. I am off those drugs now. Still have numb fingers and tingling in my hands up to the elbows but I can handle it. I tried lyrica but I'm allergic to it so then I was put on cymbalta and take 90 MG a day at one time, usually around dinner. The fybromyalgia hasn't bothered me since. Took no time for it to take effect. Hope you're doing better by now. I didn't like the way gab. made me feel.

Thanks. Cymbalta I believe is also known as duloxetine which is what I am also taking. Did get terrible side effects with that at first but now much better. Just can't seem to manage the pain level with these medications I am taking. Might need to increase the gabapentin again soon.

Hello Deep pain and welcome to DC- If you have trigger points then you have myofascial pain as well as Fibromyalgia. These trigger points need treating in there own right, if left they will spread. If injections is something that your Dr does not want to go down then Myofascial Pain Release is something that you can have and it is available on the NHS.

Thanks for the comments. I have a review with my GP in a few weeks so that is something I will mention to him. The points in question seem to be In a straight line. One in the middle of the neck and two along the top of the spine.

Hello again. You can get trigger points any where on the body. I have hundreds of them now but I started off with just a few on my lower back and buttocks. Now the worst ones are on my neck, shoulders and upper back,lol,